Imaging device for assessing sunscreen coverage

ABSTRACT

A device for assessing sunscreen coverage on a person includes a casing a lens assembly extending from about a front facing surface of the casing and allowing transmissivity to light energy in a wavelength range of about 300 to about 400 nm. A filter is in optical communication with the lens assembly and having a high optical density above about 390 nm and a low optical density below about 390 nm. A sensor is in optical communication with the filter, the sensor having a signal/noise ratio that is greater than about 36 db. A controller is configured for receiving input from a user to control the device. A display screen may be in communication with a controller for displaying an image associated with the filtered light.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/173,504, filed on Oct. 29, 2018 entitled “IMAGING DEVICE FORASSESSING SUNSCREEN COVERAGE”, being issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,835,172on Nov. 17, 2020, which is a continuation of international applicationno. PCT/US17/29960, filed on Apr. 27, 2017 entitled “IMAGING DEVICE FORASSESSING SUNSCREEN COVERAGE”, which claims priority to US ProvisionalPatent Application Nos. 62/328,488 filed on Apr. 27, 2016 entitled“Device for Assessing Sunscreen Coverage,” 62/353,563 filed on Jun. 23,2016 entitled “Device for Assessing Sunscreen Coverage,” 62/362,647filed on Jul. 15, 2016 entitled “Device for Assessing SunscreenCoverage,” and 62/385,326 filed on Sep. 9, 2016 entitled “Device forAssessing Sunscreen Coverage”, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is related to an imaging device for assessing sunscreencoverage, and more particularly an imaging device for assessingsunscreen coverage by filtering light reflected off of a person wearingsunscreen to determine coverage thereof.

BACKGROUND

The fusion reactions in the Sun produce light energy across the wholeelectromagnetic spectrum from gamma rays through the tiny visibleportion and beyond well into the infrared. Of particular concern tothose who spend time outside are the ultraviolet portions of thespectrum which are invisible to us yet can cause severe burns to ourskin and significantly increase our risk of developing cancers. The UVportion of the spectrum is typically divided into three sections—UVC,UVB & UVC. The wavelengths that correspond to those sections are: below300 nm (UVC), 300-350 nm (UVB) & 350-400 nm (UVA). The oxygen and ozonein our atmosphere absorb much of the UVC radiation. However, the UVB andUVA rays pass through even clouds. As such, their impact to humans issignificant.

Humans have developed myriad sunscreen creams and sprays to protectthemselves from burns and skin damage caused by UVA and UVB radiation.These sunscreen products are highly effective when used properly yetmost have been designed to completely disappear when rubbed into theskin. UVA & UVB are similarly invisible to humans. Therein presents aproblem of how to assess how well one's sunscreen protection has eitherbeen applied or has fared after time and/or activity.

Disclosed herein is an improved device, method, and similar that allowsfor assessment of sunscreen coverage of a person.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription of Illustrative Embodiments. This Summary is not intended toidentify key features or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimedsubject matter

Disclosed herein is a device for assessing sunscreen coverage on aperson includes a casing a lens assembly extending from about a frontfacing surface of the casing and allowing transmissivity to light energyin a wavelength range of about 300 to about 400 nm. A filter is inoptical communication with the lens assembly and having a high opticaldensity above about 390 nm and a low optical density below about 390 nm.A sensor is in optical communication with the filter, the sensor havinga signal/noise ratio that is greater than about 36 db. A controller isconfigured for receiving input from a user to control the device. Adisplay screen in communication with a controller for displaying animage associated with the filtered light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there isshown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presentlydisclosed invention is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a device and system disclosedherein;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a kit using any one of the devicesand systems disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates an image formed by any one of the devices and systemsdisclosed herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a device and system disclosedherein;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment for an accessory for the device andsystem disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment for an accessory for the device andsystem disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a device and system disclosedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed invention is described with specificity to meetstatutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intendedto limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors havecontemplated that the claimed invention might also be embodied in otherways, to include different steps or elements similar to the onesdescribed in this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies.

FIG. 1 is a device for assessing sunscreen coverage on a person. Thedevice is generally designated 10 and includes a casing 12. Casing 12may be an injection molded multiple part assembly that is assembledtogether similar to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, or casing 12may take on any appropriately configured arrangement. A lens assembly 14extending from about a front facing surface of the casing 12. Asillustrated, a tapering protrusion may extend from a main body of thecasing 12 to form a housing for receiving some of the lens assembly 14.The lens assembly 14 is shown as a stack of lenses, however, anyappropriately configured amount of lenses may be provided and arrangedas desired.

The lens assembly 14 is configured for allowing transmissivity to lightenergy in a wavelength range of about 300 to about 400 nm. Morespecifically, the lens assembly 14 may be configured for allowingtransmissivity to light energy (illustrated with line 5 in the figures)up to any suitable range that is associated with UVA and UVB, such as,for example, up to 385 nm light energy, or above 280 nm light energy.Appropriate ranges for allowing transmissivity include for UVB, between280 and 320 nm and for UVA, between 320 and 400 nm.

In one embodiment, the lens assembly 14 may include at least threelenses. The outermost lens is a meniscus type with aspheric surfaces. Ithas an outer diameter of 8 mm and a clear aperture of 3.5 mm. The secondlens is a menicus type with aspheric surfaces. It has an outer diameterof 8 mm and a clear aperture of 3 mm. The third lens is a meniscus typewith aspheric surfaces. It has an outer diameter of 8 mm and a clearaperture of 4.25 mm.

At least one lens of the lens assembly 14 may formed of a materialselected from the group consisting of fused silica glass, borosilicateglass, fused quartz glass, soda lime glass, Magnesium fluoride glass,cyclic olefin copolymer, cyclic olefin polymer plastic,polymethylpentene plastic, silicone, and acrylic plastic. In oneembodiment, the lens may be formed from cyclic olefin polymer plastic. Apolarizer may be provided in communication with the lens assembly 14 inorder to provide additional characteristics for the light for imagingpurposes. The polarizer may be one of a Brewster window, a dichroicfilm, a dielectric film, a laminated film, a birefringent type,Wollaston type, a Glan-Thompson type, Rochon type, Glan-Taylor type,Glan-Laser type, a wire grid, a nanowire grid, a pixelated nanowiregrid, a wave plate, or a beam splitter. In one or more embodiments, thelens assembly 14 is rotatable to allow viewing by another person whilethe display screen remains in view of the user.

A filter 20 is in optical communication with the lens assembly 14 andhas a high optical density above about 390 nm and a low optical densitybelow about 390 nm. As used herein, a high optical density may include adensity above about at least 3 above 390 nm and a low optical density ofabout no more than 1 below about 390 nm.

A sensor 22 is in optical communication with the filter 20. The sensor22 has a signal/noise ratio that is greater than about 36 db. In otherembodiments, the signal/noise ratio may be greater than about 32 db. Inother embodiments, the signal/noise ratio may be greater than about 40db. The sensor 22 may be a CMOS, CCD or similar sensor. The sensor maybe coated with materials that enhance sensitivity in the UV spectralrange.

A controller 24 may be configured for receiving input from a user tocontrol the device 10. The controller 24 may include a processor and becoupled with memory 18. The controller 24 may also be configured forexecuting computer control code configured for image manipulation, imagestorage and playback, and the like.

A display screen 26 is in communication with the controller 24 fordisplaying an image associated with the filtered light. Apertures 34defined in the lens assembly 14 define the cone angle of the incominglight energy 5 for receipt through sensor 22 and onto display 26. Thewindow 36 may also serve as an aperture in the lens system. A eye cup 40and lens 42 may provide for ergonomic placement of a user's eye to viewthe image at display screen 26. The eye cup 40 has a shape andresiliency such that it can be temporarily folded back so as tofacilitate use by persons wearing glasses. As illustrated with FIG. 2,the casing may define a recess for receiving a digit of an operator. Inone or more embodiments, the display screen 26 is a screen of a mobiledevice, and the device 10 is configured for communicating with themobile device to cause the mobile device to display the image on thedisplay screen 26. The display screen may also be entirely external tothe device 10, configured for communicating with the device anddisplaying an image on a screen. For example, device 10 could be used ina sunscreen spraying booth, a sunscreen coverage visualization booth orin communication with a commonly traveled area where visitors can imagethemselves to assess sunscreen coverage in a theme park or similar.

The controller 24 may be configured for receiving information associatedwith UV data at or near the time of imaging. The controller 24 mayreceive such information over a network 102 that is in communicationwith a remote server or servers 104. The UV data may, for example, beused by the controller to adjust the image to compensate for greater orless than ideal light exposure. The UV data may also be used by thecontroller to adjust a responsive element or elements within the lens toimprove the performance of the lens. The UV data may also provideinformation related to amount of exposure that can be expected for asunscreen application or for normalizing comparisons between imagestaken at subsequent times and thus in different UV scenarios. Thecontroller 24 is further configured for storing the displayed images forreview at a subsequent time. In this manner, a user can direct thecontroller 24 to view prior images of a subject. A profile associatedwith a subject may be enabled. For example, the images may be saved bythe controller as “subject A” for one person, and “subject B” foranother person. The controller 24 may then be configured to assessimages associated with subject B. The controller 24 may also beconfigured to store information such as the provided UV data, time oftaking an image, type of sunscreen and manner of application, and thelike. The controller 24 may be further configured for providing an alarmindicative of a time that has passed since last use. The controller 24may be in communication with a biometric or environmental sensor such asa UV radiometer or temperature sensor. The controller 24 may beconfigured to provide image enhancement for improved performance. Forexample, controller 24 may be configured to perform a transformation ofthe image for improved viewing performance on the display screen 26. Inone or more embodiments, the controller 24 may be configured for causingto display sequential images taken at sequential times of a person. Thecontroller 24 may be further configured to determine at least onecharacteristic relating to a change in the sequential images.

In one or more embodiments, the controller 24 recognizes regions of lowand/or high sunscreen coverage on a person's skin and provides anadditional visual indication on the display for those regions. Forexample, the additional visual indication may be, for example, a redcolored zone provided on the display to signify an area of low sunscreencoverage. The visual indication may also be a blinking or othercontrasted color. The visual indication on the display may employ twodifferent colors, one to signify low sunscreen coverage and one tosignify sufficient sunscreen coverage. Alternatively, multiple colorsmay be used to signify areas of low sunscreen coverage whereby aspecific color corresponds to the UVA range and another colorcorresponds to the UVB range.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the device 10 may include buttons 44 for beingpressed by a user to manipulate controller 24. A mount 46 may beprovided as a threaded recess for receiving, as one example, a tripodmount or similar. Input/output (10) ports 50 may be provided for batterycharging or passing of data. The passing of data through IO ports 50 maybe accomplished through a wired connection that provides connectivity toan external storage or memory or other device such as a smart phone ormobile device, or a PC, or through network 102 to a remote server 104.Alternatively, device 10 may include wireless connectivity to network102. As illustrated, the casing has a major dimension less than aboutfive (5) inches.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the device 10 may be embodied as a kit60 that includes a bottle of sunscreen 62 and device 10. In this manner,the device 10 may be provided and may be tuned to the type of sunscreenin the kit 60.

A method may be thus provided for using device 10. The method mayinclude, for example, after sunscreen has been applied to a person,imaging the person with device 10. The method may further includecausing to display an image of the imaged person, the image showing incontrast application of the sunscreen to the person. The method mayfurther include additional applications of sunscreen and subsequentimaging to access areas of coverage.

An image for display to a user using the device 10 is illustrated inFIG. 3. The image 1 illustrates a subject that has appropriate coverageas indicated by 2, and insufficient coverage as indicated by 3. Asalready described, the area 3 may include contrasting colors, blinking,or other visual indicators.

Thus disclosed herein, in one embodiment, is an imaging lens is formedthrough the combination of one or more optical elements. Opticalelements may include single lenses in any shape including, for example,freeform, meniscus, aspheric, bi-convex, bi-concave, plano-convex,plano-concave as well as apertures and filters. The spacing(s) betweenthe elements is selected so as to optimize performance of the imaginglens. The filter is selected such that transmission is maximized in theregion of the spectrum where sunscreen is maximally absorptive (300-400nm) and transmission is minimized outside of that region (>400 nm). Theplacement of the filter with respect to the other optical elements issuch that performance of both the lens system and the filter is optimal.The aperture(s) is are sized and placed with respect to the otheroptical elements is such that performance of both the lens system andthe filter is optimal. The optical lens elements are, preferentially,formed of materials that provide maximal transmission in the region ofthe spectrum between 300 and 400 nm. Similarly, the coatings on the lenselements are selected so as to optimize performance of the lens elementsin the region of the spectrum between 300 and 400 nm.

The imaging lens is mounted at a distance away from an imaging sensor(such as a CCD or CMOS) such that the image is formed with maximalresolution and focus on the plane of the image sensor. The image sensoris selected such that it has sufficient sensitivity in the UV region ofthe spectrum that a UV-only image can be produced by the sensor withoutthe need for gain settings that would reduce image quality.

The image from the sensor may either be recorded or presented in a livefeed via a screen mounted behind the camera board (see figure). A singleor multi-element lens may be used to provide eye relief to the user suchthat when the user hold the device up to their eye the screen willappear to be in focus in a manner similar to a camera viewfinder.

In one or more embodiments, controller 24 may be configured, thoughsensor 22 or other components, to selectively display where UVAsunscreen coverage is provided on a subject and UVB sunscreen coverageis provided. In this manner, the user could press a button to displaythe UVA coverage, then a separate button for UVB coverage, and anotherbutton for combined coverage or the like.

Visualization of sunscreen on skin depends upon producing opticalcontrast between the areas where sunscreen absorbs UV light and areaswhere unprotected skin reflects UV light. Thus the preferredtransmissivity range of the filter is the range that most closely alignswith the wavelength range of the ingredients used in sunscreenformulations. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, activeingredients in sunscreen formulations are regulated by bodies withingovernments and political unions such that sunscreen ingredients andformulations available in one country may not be available in another.Because of this, it may be necessary to produce various embodiments withthe specifications of the optical filter tuned to more closely match theactive ingredients that are available in a particular geographic regionor country.

Most sunscreen formulations have ingredients that do not absorb muchlight energy above 390 nm, however the human eye does not see much lightenergy below 425 nm. An ingredient could be added to a sunscreenformulation that absorbs light energy in the range between 390 and 425nm. An alternative embodiment of the device could have a filter with atransmissivity range that is includes up to 425 nm. This would enablevisualization of any sunscreen formulation that included such aningredient.

Visualization of sunscreen on skin depends upon producing opticalcontrast between the areas where sunscreen absorbs UV light and areaswhere unprotected skin reflects UV light. Visualization is confounded ininstances where specular reflections from areas of skin that coveredwith sunscreen produce apparent bright spots. These bright areas can bemisinterpreted as being unprotected skin when in fact they are merely anoptical artefact. Light reflected from a non-metallic surface becomespolarized; this effect is maximum at Brewster's angle. Regardless of howthe optical contrast is visualized (UV camera or lens-only) these brightspots can be reduced or eliminated by incorporation of a polarizingfilter, element or functionality into the optical system that isrotationally aligned to be perpendicular the specular reflection light.The polarizer can be of any type provided that it intrinsically providessufficient UV transmission to enable visualization of sunscreen.Examples of such suitable polarizers include but are not limited to:Brewster windows, dichroic films, laminated films, Wollaston,Glan-Thompson, Rochon, Glan-Taylor, Glan-Laser, wire grid, nanowire,pixelated, wave plates and beam splitters.

Alternatively, as described previously a conversion imaging approach maybe employed to enable visualization of sunscreen on skin. This approachcould be a lens-only system whereby no camera is employed forvisualization or used in conjunction with a traditional camera such as acamera built into a smartphone. This approach employs a first lensassembly, a downconversion plate and a second lens assembly. The purposeof the downconversion plate is to convert UV to visible light.Prototyping efforts demonstrated that this approach is viable butproduced images of limited resolution. It was observed that one of thesignificant contributors to the limitations on the resolution stemmedfrom the finite and inhomogeneous grain size of the downconversionmaterial as well as the methodology used to form the layer ofdownconversion material. Development efforts has initially focused onsourcing downconversion materials with ever smaller grain sizes witheven greater homogeneity and on improvement of processes for layerformation. These efforts yielded improvement in image quality but notsufficient enough to allow commercialization. It was then realized thatcausing the downconversion plate to move in one or two dimensions eitherrotationally, laterally or in a random or semi-random pattern couldcause the inhomogeneities in the downconversion plate to apparentlydisappear due to blurring. The speed of the motion of the plate must besuch that any single inhomogeneity would move to a degree that it wouldappear blurred even for the fastest time constant (shutter speed) of thevisualization modality. For example, if a human were looking into theimaging system the plate would need to move fast enough and far enoughsuch that the average size inhomogeneity in the plate would apparentlydisappear due the human “persistence of vision”. The motion of the platecan be via rotation but the preferred embodiment is a linear orsemi-random motion induced via a small piezoelectric transducer.

For all instances of visualization of sunscreen on skin it should benoted that all approaches could be built into or used in conjunctionwith a smartphone device. The smartphone device could be modified toinclude an extra camera for such purposes or modifications to standardsmartphone cameras and/or software could be made. The lens-onlyconversion approach would be well suited to mounting on a smartphone toenable the standard camera in the smartphone to be used forvisualization of sunscreen on skin.

One example of a stand-alone or separable lens approach is illustratedin FIG. 4. A device is generally designated 150 and is provided forassessing sunscreen coverage on a person. The device 150 may include astack 140 that includes multiple components. For example, lens assembly154 allows transmissivity to light energy in a wavelength range of about300 to about 400 nm. Lens assembly 154 may share some characteristicswith lens assembly 14. In one or more embodiments, the lens of the lensassembly 154 is formed of a material selected from the group consistingof fused silica glass, borosilicate glass, fused quartz glass, soda limeglass, Magnesium fluoride glass, cyclic olefin copolymer plastic, cyclicolefin polymer plastic, polymethylpentene plastic, silicone, and acrylicplastic. A filter 170 is in optical communication with the lens assemblyand has a high optical density above about 390 nm and a low opticaldensity below about 390 nm. A converter 158 converts ultraviolet lightof the light energy into visible light. Apertures 164 and window 156 maybe provided. A relay lens 160 conveys an image associated with thevisible light. The light energy 5 and converted image is then conveyedto an imaging device 174, such as a camera, of mobile device 172. Mobiledevice 172 may further include a controller having a processor 176 and amemory 178 that stores computer control code. A radio 180 of the mobiledevice 172 may allow for communicating with an external entity.

The stack assembly of lens 154, converter 158, relay 160, apertures 164,and the like may be embodied as a stand alone product appropriate forbeing viewed by a human eye or in combination with another externaldevice. For example, the stack assembly may be further configured forbeing engaged with eyeglasses, a case for the mobile device, and thelike. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the “stack”, generally designated 190,may be embodied as an extension on a mobile device casing 192. The stack190 may be slideable to define a position where the stack is inline withthe imaging device/camera 174 or out of line to allow normal imaging. Inother embodiments, the stack may be embodied entirely within the mobiledevice.

A similar arrangement is shown in FIG. 6, where the stack 600 is shownengaged with glasses 602.

The stack device 140 may be configured such that, when engaged with amobile device, the relay lens 160 directs the light energy into theimaging device 174 of the mobile device 172. In one or more embodiments,the mobile device 172 includes a controller having a processor 176configured for receiving information associated with UV data at or nearthe time of imaging. In one or more embodiments, the controller isfurther configured for storing images displayed on the mobile device forreview at a subsequent time. In one or more embodiments, the controlleris further configured for providing an alarm indicative of a time thathas passed since last use. In one or more embodiments, the controller isin communication with a biometric or environmental sensor. In one ormore embodiments, the controller performs image enhancement for improvedperformance. In one or more embodiments, the controller performs atransformation of the image for improved viewing performance on adisplay. In one or more embodiments, the controller recognizes regionsof low and/or high sunscreen coverage on a person's skin and provides anadditional visual indication on a display for those regions. In one ormore embodiments, the visual indication is a blinking or contrastedcolor. In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured forcausing to display sequential images taken at sequential times of aperson. The controller is further configured to determine at least onecharacteristic relating to a change in the sequential images. In one ormore embodiments, the controller is configured for storing the imagesfor subsequent review. In one or more embodiments, the controller is incommunication with a biometric, environmental, or UV dosage sensor.

In one or more embodiments, the device includes an imaging diverter 168configured for re-directing the light energy. This diverter 168 is shownas a collection of prisms in FIG. 7. In alternate embodiments, thediverter 168 may be a mirror or multiple mirrors, or one of a prism withat least one mirrored surface or multiple prisms, each with at least onemirrored surface.

The lens assembly 154 may include a first lens 154A of a meniscus typewith aspheric surfaces, a second lens 154B of a meniscus type withaspheric surfaces, and a third lens 154C of a meniscus type withaspheric surfaces.

In one or more embodiments, the first lens 154A has an outer diameter ofbetween 7 and 72 mm, and a clear aperture of between 3 and 67 mm, thesecond lens 154B has an outer diameter of between 7 and 72 mm, and aclear aperture of between 2.5 and 66.5 mm, and the third lens has anouter diameter of between 7 and 72 mm, and a clear aperture of between3.75 and 67.75 mm. A polarizer may be positioned along a light path ofthe light energy. The polarizer is one of a Brewster window, a dichroicfilm, a dielectric film, a laminated film, a birefringent type,Wollaston type, a Glan-Thompson type, Rochon type, Glan-Taylor type,Glan-Laser type, a wire grid, a nanowire grid, a pixelated nanowiregrid, a wave plate, or a beam splitter.

The device according to claim 64, further including a manipulator 161for moving the converter. The manipulator 161 may be one of apiezoelectric transducer, electric motor, coil driver, armature driver,orthodynamic driver, electrostatic driver, electret driver,magnetostrictive driver, or thermoacoustic driver. The manipulator 161may be coupled to the converter.

Advantageously, the device, in some embodiments, produces an image thatis viewable by a human eye.

The converter 158 can be provided and configured to produce two or morecolors of visible light, one for light energy of a first type and onefor light energy of a second type. Each color produced by the converter158 may correspond with a specific region of the UV spectrum. Theconverter 158 may be an energy converting plate that is a fluorescentplate that converts the higher energy UV light into lower energy visiblelight viewable by the human eye. The energy converting plate may be anelectronic sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor. The ultraviolet lightis converted to visible light to a secondary electronic screen such asan LCD screen or an OLED screen. The fluorescent plate may be configuredto produce two or more colors of visible light, with each colorcorresponding to a specific region of the UV spectrum.

In one or more embodiments, the first lens 154A has an outer diameter ofbetween 7 and 104 mm, and a clear aperture of between 3 and 99 mm. Inone or more embodiments, the second lens 154B has an outer diameter ofbetween 7 and 104 mm, and a clear aperture of between 2.5 and 98.5 mm.In one or more embodiments, the third lens has an outer diameter ofbetween 7 and 104 mm, and a clear aperture of between 3.75 and 99.75 mm.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium (including, but not limitedto, non-transitory computer readable storage media). A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages, and hardware description languages such as VHDLand Verilog or the like. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the lattersituation scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

While the embodiments have been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosedembodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rathershould be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appendedclaims.

What is claimed:
 1. A kit comprising: a container of sunscreen, thesunscreen comprising an ingredient that absorbs light energy in awavelength range of about 300 to about 425 nm; a device for assessingsunscreen coverage on a person, the device comprising: a casing; a lensassembly extending from about a front facing surface of the casing andallowing transmissivity to light energy in the wavelength range of about300 to about 425 nm, wherein the lens of the lens assembly is formed ofa material selected from the group consisting of fused silica glass,borosilicate glass, fused quartz glass, soda lime glass, magnesiumfluoride glass, cyclic olefin copolymer plastic, cyclic olefin polymerplastic, polymethylpentene plastic, silicone, and acrylic plastic; afilter in optical communication with the lens assembly and having a highoptical density above about 390 nm and a low optical density below about390 nm; a sensor in optical communication with the filter, the sensorhaving a signal/noise ratio that is greater than about 36 db; acontroller configured for receiving input from a user to control thedevice; a display screen in communication with a controller fordisplaying an image associated with the filtered light.
 2. The kitaccording to claim 1, wherein the display screen is carried by thecasing.
 3. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is ascreen of a mobile device, and the device is configured forcommunicating with the mobile device to cause the mobile device todisplay the image on the display screen.
 4. The kit according to claim1, wherein the display screen is a screen external to the casing.
 5. Thekit according to claim 1, wherein the casing defines a recess forreceiving a digit of an operator.
 6. The kit according to claim 1,further comprising a polarizer within a light path of the light energy.7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the polarizer is one of aBrewster window, a dichroic film, a dielectric film, a laminated film, abirefringent type, Wollaston type, a Glan-Thompson type, Rochon type,Glan-Taylor type, Glan-Laser type, a wire grid, a nanowire grid, apixelated nanowire grid, a wave plate, or a beam splitter.
 8. The kitaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured forreceiving information associated with UV data at or near the time ofimaging.
 9. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the controller isfurther configured for storing the displayed images for review at asubsequent time.
 10. The kit according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is further configured for providing an alarm indicative of atime that has passed since last use.
 11. A device for assessing acoverage area and/or coverage thickness of an ultraviolet light blockingcoating, the device comprising: a lens assembly that transmits andimages light energy in a wavelength range spanning from about 300nanometers to about 425 nanometers from an object to an image plane; thelens assembly having a filter that absorbs and/or reflects light fromabout 400 nanometers to about 700 nanometers or from 400 nanometers toabout 1100 nanometers, such that only light from 300 nanometers to about400 nanometers is transmitted; an energy converting plate situated closeto the image plane of the lens assembly that converts the ultravioletlight image into visible light.
 12. The device according to claim 11,wherein the energy converting plate is a fluorescent plate that convertsthe higher energy UV light into lower energy visible light viewable bythe human eye, camera, or smart phone imaging module.
 13. The deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the device is configured for beingengaged with a mobile device and when engaged, a relay lens directs thevisible image from the image plane into a camera of the mobile device.14. The device according to claim 13, wherein computer control codeexecuting on the mobile device is configured to control the mobiledevice to manipulate a signal received from the light energy.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 12, wherein the device includes a relay lensto convey the visible image from the image plane to a person forviewing.
 16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the energyconverting plate is an electronic sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor,wherein the ultraviolet light is converted to visible light for displayto a secondary electronic screen such as an LCD screen or an OLEDscreen.
 17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the deviceincludes a controller having a processor configured for receivinginformation associated with UV data at or near the time of imaging. 18.The device according to claim 17, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured for storing images displayed on a mobile device for review ata subsequent time on a display.
 19. The device according to claim 18,wherein the controller performs a transformation of the image forimproved viewing performance on the display.
 20. The device according toclaim 17, wherein the controller is further configured for providing analarm indicative of a time that has passed since last use.